The decision comes after interim general manager Danny Ferry announced this week that the 25-year-old's minutes will be reduced down the stretch. The Pelicans also reportedly want clearance from the NBA to allow them to bench Davis outright.

With postseason hopes all but extinguished in New Orleans, the team wants to preserve its biggest asset ahead of the offseason, during which the Pelicans will likely satisfy Davis' trade request.

Saturday's game marks the first of two tilts against the Lakers in the next five days. New Orleans visits Los Angeles on Wednesday.